Americans

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1 in 4 Americans Don&#39;t Know Earth Circles Sun
1 in 4 Americans Don't
Know Earth Circles Sun
survey says

1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Circles Sun

Survey suggests science teachers have some work to do

(Newser) - To put the brightest possible spin on this story is to say that three-quarters of Americans are fully aware that the Earth revolves around the sun. The downside, of course, is that means 1 in 4 are in the dark about what Discovery calls "probably the most basic question...

America the Polarized? No, We Mostly Agree
America the Polarized?
No, We Mostly Agree
OPINION

America the Polarized? No, We Mostly Agree

Idea of 'polarized' nation exaggerated by media: Nick Gillespie

(Newser) - Conventional wisdom has it that America is more polarized in terms of politics and culture than at any point in history. "Not so fast," writes Nick Gillespie at Time . It may seem that way because of the talking heads on cable news and the fringe politicians who love...

Terrorists Con American al-Qaeda Supporters

Money sent for military training kept by al-Qaeda leaders

(Newser) - Three Americans who sent thousands of dollars abroad to feed al-Qaeda terrorist plots have found their money wasn't quite going where they intended. Rather than being used for military training, the $300 sent each month—plus watches, cold-weather gear, GPS units, and a remote-control car—was divided between Yemen...

White Deaths Outnumbered White Births Last Year

By 12,400, according to Census Bureau

(Newser) - It was expected to become an official stat by the end of this decade: a year in which the number of deaths of non-Hispanic whites was greater than the number of births in the group. But Census Bureau estimates out today reveal that things are running ahead of schedule. Between...

US Halts Joint Afghan Patrols After Insider Ambushes

12 international workers, 2 others also killed in violence over film

(Newser) - It's becoming so dangerous for US troops to patrol with the nation's Afghan allies that American officials are halting joint military patrols to protect US soldiers from "insider" ambushes. Afghan troops have attacked NATO forces 36 times this year, killing 51, most of them American, reports CBS...

Egypt Allows Arrested Americans to Travel Again

Case involving transportation chief Lahood's son is apparently dropped

(Newser) - It looks like a thorny problem between the US and Egypt—one involving the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood—is going away. Egyptian officials today lifted a travel ban on seven Americans, including Sam LaHood , who are facing trial in the country, reports the AP . They are among 43...

Americans' Confidence in Government Hits New Low

Two-thirds think the Afghanistan war isn't worth fighting

(Newser) - The economy, rising gas prices, and the Afghan war have Americans in a foul mood about their government, according to a new poll from ABC and the Washington Post . Some highlights:
  • Only 26% are optimistic about "our system of government and how well it works," the lowest since
...

14% of Americans Use Food Stamps
14% of Americans Use
Food Stamps

14% of Americans Use Food Stamps

43.6M need help to buy groceries

(Newser) - A sizable number of Americans—about 14%, in fact—continue to need government help to buy groceries, the Wall Street Journal reports. A new Labor Department survey says 43.6 million people in the US were signed up with the food stamp program as of November, an increase of 14....

Study: Americans Don't Walk Much
 Americans Don't Walk Much 

Americans Don't Walk Much

Study puts us way behind Australians and the Swiss

(Newser) - A new study in Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise confirms what many already knew: Americans don't walk much. In fact, Americans walk an average of only 5,117 steps per day. That compares unfavorably to Australians (9,695), the Swiss (9,650), and the Japanese (7,168). One...

'Pakistanis Torturing Us,' Yanks Shout to Reporters

Terror suspects yell for help

(Newser) - Five Americans being detained in Pakistan shouted out to passing reporters that they are being tortured. The five, being held on suspicion of ploting terror attacks in Pakistan, yelled out in unison as they were being driven from a Pakistani court. Authorities denied the men were being mistreated. The men,...

Iran Accuses American Hikers of Espionage

Opinion on 3 arrested in July 'in the not distant future:' prosecutor

(Newser) - The three American hikers detained by Iran in July have been accused of espionage, a senior Iranian prosecutor says. The three, who the US maintains were on a hiking vacation in Iraq when they accidentally strayed across the poorly-marked border, "have been accused" and the investigation is ongoing, he...

We Love Vibrators: Study
 We Love Vibrators: Study 

We Love Vibrators: Study

(Newser) - Nearly half of all Americans use a vibrator, according to a new study by the maker of Trojan condoms. More than 50% of women and 45% of men in recent surveys said they’ve used one, and vibrator aficionados also rated themselves higher on sexual health indicators such as erectile...

Veggie Gardens Thrive in Lean Times

Seed sales set records amid recession

(Newser) - Sales of vegetable seeds are skyrocketing this season and experts say it’s not just the local food movement or Michelle Obama’s First Garden that’s driving the craze. Americans hit hard by the recession are slashing grocery bills by growing their own, as evidenced by a 30% spike...

20% of Americans Drop Landline for Cell: Study

20% of households only use cell phones

(Newser) - As Americans trim their spending, more are getting rid of landlines. In the second half of last year, 20% of households had only cell phones, outnumbering for the first time the 17% who had just landlines. The 3% jump from the first half of 2008 is the largest increase since...

Census: Fewer Americans Moving in Tough Times

(Newser) - The economy is doing a number on Americans' wanderlust. The number of people who switched residences last year dropped to 35.2 million, the lowest since 1962, the New York Times reports. The Census Bureau pegs the nation's mobility rate at 11.9%, down from 13.2% last year and...

Frugalistas Rejoice: Recession Is a Validation

'Frugalistas' embrace new thrifty values

(Newser) - Shredding credit cards and buying less may sound like consumer America's version of hell, but some—especially those penny-pinchers long scoffed at as miserly—are downright gleeful. "This validates the choices I've made," one tells the New York Times. With the savings rate up a remarkable 4 points...

American Psyche Shows Recession Stress Fractures

70% fear family income loss

(Newser) - Depression is up as the US economy proceeds downward, but many of those complaining are not actually facing financial problems—they simply fear they could. “Even if you do everything right, something bad can happen to you,” says a woman whose doctor prescribed therapy. Polls find the economy...

Utah, Hawaii Happiest States; W. Va. Not So Much: Poll

Happiness poll links bliss to wealth

(Newser) - Money can't buy happiness? Tell that to 350,000 Americans surveyed in a Gallup study. The jolliest congressional districts were also among the wealthiest, the gloomiest among the poorest. Researchers also attributed contentment to factors like outdoor recreation and a young population, the AP reports. Utah, Hawaii, and Wisconsin ranked...

Manners Killed Titanic's Brits as Yanks Fled: Study

British were more likely to line up for lifeboats, researcher contends

(Newser) - British passengers aboard the Titanic were most likely to die because their sense of propriety inclined them to line up for lifeboats while Americans elbowed past to save themselves, claims an Australian researcher who is studying how people react in life-threatening disasters. Americans were 8.5% more likely than other...

Inauguration Becomes De Facto Holiday

Experts say celebrations will boost worker morale

(Newser) - Employers nationwide are bracing for a new slowdown, but they're excited about this one, reports USA Today. Thousands of workers nationwide are expected to take the day off tomorrow to watch the inauguration—or watch with co-workers in office parties. Companies are wise to grant the time off, since the...

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